Donna Van Wynsberghe
Professor Emerita

B.A., Clarke College, Biology
1968
Ph.D., Marquette Univ., Physiology
1972

Postdoctoral Fellow
Marquette Univ., Physiology
1972-1973

Office:Lapham S181
Phone: 414-229-4214
FAX: 414-229-6827
Email: biosci@uwm.edu
Electronic Reserve
Materials:
Cardiovascular Physiology

Research Interests

Our research interests center on an understanding of neural control of the cardiovascular system, with a primary interest in baroreceptor function. In the past, arterial baroreceptor afferent fibers have been classified according to anatomical criteria, i.e. myelinated or nonmyelinated. Our research interests have centered on examining the functional (firing) characteristics of the carotid sinus baroreceptors which have two types of firing patterns that correspond to A (myelinated) and C (nonmyelinated) fibers. Type I fibers (mostly in A fibers) are characterized by a discontinuous, hyperbolic discharge pattern with a sudden onset of high frequency discharge at the pressure threshold. Fibers with a Type II pattern (mostly C fibers) are characterized by a continuous sigmoidal discharge pattern with a gradual increase in low frequency discharge above the pressure threshold. Blockade of a specific potassium current (IA) by administration of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) converts the Type I firing pattern to a Type II pattern, but does not alter the Type II discharge. Characteristics of the high-frequency, more sensitive Type I baroreceptors suggest that they may play a greater role in buffering changes in blood pressure (BP) than the low frequency, less sensitive Type II baroreceptors, which may be more important in control of mean BP.

Selected Publications
    Van Wynsberghe DM, and Cooley G. Case Histories in Human Physiology. Wm. C. Brown Publishing Co., 1996, 1997, 1998

    Van Wynsberghe DM, Noback C, and Carola R. Human Anatomy and Physiology, 3rd Ed, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1995.

    Van Wynsberghe DM. Human Physiology Study Guide, McGraw- Hill, Inc., 1995, 1998.

    Seagard JL, Hopp FA, Drummond HA, and Van Wynsberghe DM. "Selective Contribution of Two Types of Carotid Sinus Baroreceptors to the Control of Blood Pressure". Circulation Research 72:1011-1022, 1993.

    Seagard JL, Van Wynsberghe DM,Hopp FA. "Effects of Differential Blocking of Carotid Sinus Baroreceptor Afferent Input by a Local Anesthetic (Bupivacaine)." The FASEB Journal 6(4):88, Feb., 1992.

    Drummond HA, Van Wynsberghe DM,Hopp FA and Seagard JL. "Effects of 4-Aminopyridine on Acute Resetting of the Type I Baroreceptor." The FASEB Journal 6(4):87, Feb., 1992.

    Van Wynsberghe DM, Seagard JL,and Gallenberg LA. "Effects of 4-Aminopyridine on Aortic Baroreceptors." The FASEB Journal 4(4):4019, Feb., 1990.

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